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LOT 183
Exceptional
Three-Digit Serial
Number 163 Colt
Pocket Navy 4 1/2 Inch
Octagon Barrel Cartridge Conversion
Revolver - Serial no. 163, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips.
Only around 2,000 “Pocket Navy” revolvers
were converted to the 4 1/2 inch octagon barrel .38 rimfire
configuration c. 1873-1875. These revolvers had no ejector
attached to the barrel and had their loading lever cutouts filled.
On this example the lower portion for the rammer remains
open. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML. COLT
NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.” The two-line Colt patent markings
are on the left of the frame. “36 CAL” is on the left of the trigger
guard, and “COLTS PATENT/No.163” is on the cylinder along with the stagecoach holdup
scene. Matching serial numbers are also on the barrel, frame, wedge, trigger guard, and
back strap. The arbor and loading gate are marked with the assembly number “117”. It
has the standard post front sight, hammer notch rear sight, and a smooth, one-piece
walnut grip.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% of the untouched original nickel finish with some
scattered light flaking, mostly on the grip straps and edges of the trigger guard,
showing the aged mellow brass beneath. The grip is very fine with some scattered
minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 182
Colt Model 1861
Navy Cartridge Conversion
Revolver - Serial no. 2631, 38 RF
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, varnished
walnut grips. This is an example of a factory
conversion of a Model 1861 Navy percussion revolver. The
conversion is the same as the Richards-Mason conversion
done on the Model 1860 Army revolvers. It consists of
plugging the loading lever hole and attaching of an ejector
housing by a screw running through the left side of the
barrel lug, modification of the cylinder, identical to the 1851 Navy, a rimfire firing
pin is attached through a center slot on the face of the hammer, installation of a
breech plate without integral rear sight and a loading gate. Colt manufactured
some 2,200 of this model in the mid-1870s. The barrel has the one-line New York address, the left side
of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT,” and the cylinder is roll engraved with the naval engagement
scene. “263/1” is stamped on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. “263” is stamped on the barrel and
cylinder. Fitted with a smooth varnished one-piece walnut grip.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The revolver has a smooth brown-gray patina with the barrel retaining
20% original blue finish and much of the cylinder scene remains. The grip straps retain strong traces
of original silver plating in the protected areas. The grip is fine with high edge wear and dings and
scratches with most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 179
Colt Model 1860 Army Richards Cartridge
Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 4613, 44 Colt CF
cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips.
Approximately 9,000 “conversions” were manufactured c. 1871-1878
using the Richards system, patented July 25th, 1871. This example is part of a
separate approximate serial range 1-8700 made with some new parts and some
surplus components, with others found within the standard Model 1860 Army
approximate serial range 167000-200600. Designed by Charles Brinckerhoff Richards (1835-1919),
one of the co-designers of the famous Colt Single Action Army. Richards revolvers were an important
stepping stone to the Single Action Army and many saw intense use on the western frontier. They
feature a breech plate with an integral notch rear sight and a floating firing pin instead of using a
hammer mounted firing pin. An ejector rod housing is fitted to the right side of the barrel and a filler
slot in place of the loading lever. German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-
YORK U.S. AMERICA-” marked on top of the barrel, 1871 and 1872 patent dates on the left of the frame, Texas Battle of
Campeche Navy scene on the cylinder, matching visible serial number “4613” on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt
and cylinder with assembly number “2716” on the loading gate (wedge unable to be removed).
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 20% original blue finish concentrated in protected areas of the barrel, ejector
housing and backstrap with smooth brown patina on the balance, traces of case colors visible in protected areas of the
frame, visible cylinder scene, a few small patches of light pitting, and bright golden patina on the brass. Grip is fine very
with a few light scratches, some scattered small spots of outer surface flaking, and defined edges. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 181
Rare Sealed 50-Count Box of U.S. Cartridge Co. Colt Model Army
Conversion Revolver .44 Centerfire Metallic Cartridges - Offered
here is a rare full 50-count box of U.S. Cartridge Co. .44 centerfire
cartridges for the Colt Model Army conversion revolvers manufactured
in the 1870s and used a mixture of remaining Model 1860 Army
parts and newly manufactured components. These revolvers were
manufactured alongside the Single Action Army and saw significant use
in the Old West. The box features an orange label with an illustration of
Colt’s metallic cartridge conversion revolver. All 50 rounds are included
as the box remains sealed.
CONDITION: Excellent, with a small tear on top and nearly all of the
orange label remaining. A sealed box of Colt Model Army conversion revolver
cartridges missing from even the most advanced Colt collection.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 180
Exceptionally Fine Colt Pocket Navy
4 1/2 Inch Octagon Barrel Cartridge
Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 19141, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Only around 2,000
“Pocket Navy” revolvers were converted to the 4 1/2 inch octagon barrel .38
rimfire configuration c. 1873-1875. These revolvers had no ejector attached to the
barrel and had their loading lever cutouts filled. On this example the lower portion for the
rammer remains open. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML. COLT NEW-YORK U.S.
AMERICA.” The two-line 1871 and 1872 patent markings are on the left of the frame. “36 CAL” is
on the left of the trigger guard, and “COLTS PATENT/No.796/9141” is on the cylinder along with
the stagecoach holdup scene. Matching full serial number “19141” appears on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back
strap. It has the standard post front sight, hammer notch rear sight, and a smooth, one-piece walnut grip.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% bright original high polish blue finish on the slightly flaked to brown barrel
and cylinder. The frame retains 98% vivid original case colors. Original muted case colors remain on the hammer. The
grip straps retain 75% of the attractive age darkened original silver plating. The grip is excellent with some scattered
handling marks and retaining nearly all of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive, high condition
of one of Colt’s early cartridge revolver well worthy of the most advanced collection.
Provenance: The Doug Carlson Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750